Paul Merson disagrees with Mikel Arteta’s reading of Chelsea (Image: Getty)
has been left stunned by assessment of Chelsea following Arsenal’s victory over their London rivals on Sunday. edged a tight 1-0 battle at the Emirates Stadium to solidify their position in the Champions League qualification positions.
A first-half Mikel Merino goal proved the difference for the Gunners, who were rarely troubled by a -less . However, to the surprise of Merson, boss Arteta dubbed the “best attacking team” in the league during his post-match debrief. The Spanish coach said: “In my opinion, they’re the best attacking team in the league. By a mile. The stats say it, everything I’ve seen says it in open play.”
It was a sentiment that Merson didn’t agree with, as the ex- ace explained during his column this week. He wrote: “ said are the best attacking team in the Premier League after ‘s 1-0 victory over them on Sunday. I don’t know what I’m missing.
“When Nicolas Jackson and are playing, they’re a good team. They bring the best out of each other. Palmer’s a better player when Jackson’s playing and Jackson’s a better player when Palmer’s playing. That is fact. But I’m flabbergasted by that quote. I honestly don’t get that. There will be a lot of fans reading that thinking, ‘Wow! What is he talking about?’”
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Arsenal defeated a blunt Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium (Image: Getty)
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So far this season, and have both scored more goals than (53), while , who are nine points ahead of their fellow capital club, have netted the same amount. Instead, it’s at the back where and have differed, with the former conceding 24 goals to their rivals’ 37.
Merson continued: “Is Arteta saying that because have spent £1.6bn yet haven’t got a forward and can’t score a goal and fans are moaning at him because don’t have a forward? Unless Palmer plays, I don’t think score goals. Everybody can be an attacking and free-flowing team but you’ve got to get it right at both ends.”
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will resume play after the international break 12 points behind runaway leaders , with just nine matches of the season left to play. ’s maximum points tally for the remainder of the campaign is 85, meaning need just five wins and a draw to confirm the league title.